Best Running Shoes for Men 2022

Finding the best men’s running shoes for your needs can be a challenge. There are hundreds of great running shoes to choose from, and sifting through all of them is a never-ending process.

At Fleet Feet, we’re constantly searching for the best running shoes for men and all runners, including ourselves. We research, test and write about as many men’s running shoes as we can to assess how well they hold up to their intended purpose: to deliver a comfortable running experience.

There are sometimes also differences between men's shoes and the best running shoes for women of the same model. If shoe designers created models for each gender, we outline how each shoe is different.

After putting many shoes through their paces, we think these are the best men’s running shoes for (almost) every type of run:

• Brooks Ghost 14
• New Balance Fresh Foam 880 v12
• HOKA Bondi 8
• Saucony Kinvara 13
• Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39
• Mizuno Wave Rider 25
• On Cloud X 2.0
• Altra Escalante 3
• Karhu Ikoni
• ASICS GEL-Nimbus 24

Got more questions? Check out these FAQs.

[This article is part of the Fleet Feet Buyer's Guide for The Best Running Shoes 2022. Find all the best running shoes from the top brands for all situations.]

Comfort is paramount when you're ramping up your miles, and the men's Brooks Ghost 14 offers plenty of it, making it one of the best men's running shoes around.

The Brooks Ghost is comfortable all around. Brooks built the Ghost 14 with a soft and smooth engineered mesh upper. The mesh comes with a hint of stretch to mold around the curves of your foot, and it's roomy to accommodate a range of different foot shapes. It also comes in wide sizing for runners who need it.

Designers made another big change to the Ghost 14 this year: more DNA Loft foam. DNA Loft is one of Brooks' softest foam compositions, and it extends all the way into the forefoot to create a soft, smooth transition from heel to toe.

Fleet Feet runners said the newest Ghost provides a comfortable fit and flexible ride while feeling softer than ever. It remains an all-around performer that brings an ideal combination of comfort, cushion, weight and price.

Read more in our Brooks Ghost 14 review.

The running shoes you use for your everyday training have to strike the right balance of cushion and weight. The men’s New Balance Fresh Foam 880 v12 nails that balance.

The 880 has long been a favorite among many male runners for its comfortable fit and cushion, and the twelfth version is no exception. New Balance redesigned the midsole with a dual-layer set-up: a softer-than-ever heel that transitions to a denser EVA foam in the forefoot for propulsive take-offs.

The plush upper uses a stretchy double jacquard mesh that has strategically placed zones for support and ventilation. The newest 880 is a classic everyday training shoe disguised as something you could wear out to the brewery with friends.

Read more in our New Balance 880 v12 review.

HOKA is known for building some of the best-cushioned running shoes on the planet and the men's Bondi 8 is a max-cushioned game-changer.

Designers packed the men's Bondi 8 full of HOKA’s brand new ultralight foam for cushioning that won't ever bottom out. HOKA built the shoe on a 33 mm/29 mm (heel/toe) stack height that absorbs impact as you pound the pavement.

The Bondi 8’s billowed silhouette highlights its brand-new extended heel geometry that forgives hard landings and encourages a stable and balanced ride.

The cushy midsole provides a soft, smooth ride and buttery transitions from heel to toe, which makes the Bondi one of the best men's walking shoes. Plus, it's a great choice for anyone who spends long days on their feet at work, like nurses and doctors.

When you prioritize comfort above all else, lace up the HOKA Bondi 8 for one of the most-cushioned running experiences you'll find.

Read more in our HOKA Bondi 8 review.

Few running shoes put together the same combination of weight, cushion and speed as the Saucony Kinvara 13.

The men’s Kinvara 13 is a featherlight running shoe that packs enough cushion to blur the line between racing flat and everyday trainer. A full-length PWRRUN midsole provides responsive cushioning and an airy mesh upper gives the shoe a comfortable and secure fit.

The latest version now weighs even less, making the Saucony Kinvara 13 a fast and flexible running shoe, perfect for daily training or picking up the pace.

Read more in our Saucony Kinvara 13 review.

The updated Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39 is a lightweight and nimble everyday running shoe perfect for men putting in daily miles or training for a race.

You want to be confident in your shoe when you lace up for your run. That’s why beginners and experienced runners alike love the reliability you get from the Nike Pegasus 39’s balanced ride and comfortable fit.

Nike React foam in the midsole gives you a bouncy and energetic feel, while two Zoom Air units in the forefoot add an extra pop to your toe-off. Plus, thanks to the grooves on the waffle-inspired outsole, the Nike Pegasus 39 has a natural running motion and excellent traction to keep you confident running year-round.

Few shoes offer more versatility than the Nike Pegasus, which is why it is consistently one of the best running shoes on our list. Its lightweight cushioning and a dialed-in fit make the men’s Pegasus 39 an ideal choice as your go-to daily trainer.

The Wave Rider 25 provides propulsive energy and supportive cushioning thanks to Mizuno Enerzy foam in the midsole. The Enerzy foam is light and cushioned but also bouncier than previous foams, which makes the Rider feel more energetic.

Designers reshaped the Wave plate to better disperse impact and promote smoother transitions as you run.

The Wave Rider 25 also comes with two upper choices: mesh and Waveknit. The classic mesh upper is breathable and flexible, and the Waveknit gives you a sock-like fit and natural feel.

With a refreshed midsole and roomy fit, the Mizuno Wave Rider 25 is one of the best running shoes for men.

Read more in our Mizuno Wave Rider 25 review.

The On Cloud X 2.0 is one of the best running shoes for men because it does everything you ask of it.

Designers built the Cloud X 2.0 to move in any direction, which means you can take it from a long run on a Sunday to a HIIT workout on a Monday and feel confident with every movement.

The Cloud X 2.0 gets its versatility from a responsive Helion foam midsole paired with On's signature Speedboard. The combo delivers a snappy, stable ride for use on the road or in the gym.

Topped with a flexible and durable engineered mesh upper, you won't feel out of place during those burpees in the middle of your circuit.

But it's not just performance with the Cloud X 2.0: On's sleek, minimalist style gives you an athletic look before, during and after your pub run.

The Escalante may be one of the most versatile men’s running shoes on this list. Our wide-footed friends and lightweight shoe lovers rave about the Altra Escalante 3 for its FootShaped toe-box and low-cushion profile.

Altra’s zero-drop midsole keeps the cushion balanced from heel to toe and encourages a low-impact foot strike. This keeps you light on your feet and supports your natural stride.

The Escalante is as comfortable for runs as it is for all-day wear thanks to a soft, stretchy upper and a lightweight, padded tongue that feels like a slipper and helps prevent blisters.

Great for mixed distance running depending on the person, Altra uses their Ego midsole foam for an energetic ride that’s soft enough to keep you comfortable on longer runs. With a lower stack height, new shape and responsive cushioning, the Escalante can crush home workouts and cross-training, as well.

The new Karhu Ikoni 2021 isn't just one of the best men’s running shoes, it's one of the best running shoes out today thanks to its generous fit and effortless ride.

The design was shaped by millions of 3D foot scans captured during Fleet Feet’s fit id® giving it an accommodating fit for a wide variety of foot shapes. The Ikoni also uses an asymmetrical lacing system and Ortix footbed that accounts for the unique shape of each foot and gives a feeling of light arch support.

A bed of lightweight Aerofoam feels super plush and responsive and is supported by a half-length Fulcrum rocker in the midfoot. This combination helps to propel the foot through its heel-to-toe transition and makes runs and walks feel effortless with each step.

In our review, testers loved how lightweight and cushioned the Ikoni 2021 is, and we think you will too.

The newest Ikoni is an excellent choice for men looking for a smooth and stabilized ride out on their runs or walks.

The ASICS GEL-Nimbus 24 is a great update to a classic running shoe.

ASICS refreshed the Nimbus with an even softer landing thanks to a new foam material, FF BLAST PLUS. This is combined with ASICS' signature GEL unit to soak up even more impact, which helps create an easy landing and buttery-smooth transition.

A new, grippy outsole featuring ASICS LITE rubber is lighter and more sustainable than traditional rubber outsoles and provides great traction and durability without the added bulk to keep you going for miles and miles. Read more in the men’s ASICS GEL-Nimbus 24 review.

What Does “Best” Mean?

It’s impossible to say definitively that these are the best men’s running shoes for all male runners.

There are so many factors to consider when picking the right men’s running shoes for yourself—not to mention personal preferences—that we can’t say which men’s shoes will be the best for you. Instead, we chose the men’s running shoes that we think will work for most men, most of the time.

For more personalized recommendations, visit a Fleet Feet location for a one-on-one expert fitting through our fit id® outfitting process. A Fleet Feet expert will walk you through the 3D scanning process to precisely measure your feet, and then they will talk with you about your current training and future goals.

At the end, you’ll have personalized recommendations for men’s running shoes that are tailored to your size and needs.

How We Chose the Best Men’s Running Shoes

We used data from our fit id® outfitting process, interviews with designers and real-life wear testing to determine the best men’s running shoes for most runs and the most runners.

You can shop with confidence at Fleet Feet: We offer free shipping on all orders over $99, and you have 60 days to return any gear if you don’t like the way it looks, fits or feels. Plus, with our price-match guarantee, you can make sure you never pay too much for a new pair of running shoes.